Pile shell, closure, and method



July 21, 1964 G. A. scHENK PILE SHELL, CLOSURE. AND METHOD 2 Sheets-Shee l Filed June 29, 1962 INVENTOR SCHENK GUSTAVE ARTHUR July 21, 1964 G. A. scHENK 3,141,305

PILE SHELL, CLOSURE, AND METHOD Filed June 29, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 N A l i @fix f W/ T. URN/IV BY dwz, ffii J. E -4L- INV ENT OR GUSTA VE ARTHUR SCHENKI United States Patent O 3,141,305 PILE SHELL, CLUSURE, AND METHOD Gustave A. Schenk, Coatesville, Pa., assignor to Lulrens Steel Company, Coatesville, Ia., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed .lune 29, 1962, Ser. No. 206,243

8 Claims. (Cl. (ill- 53) This invention relates to a closure for a pile shell, and the combination of said closure with a pile shell.

An object of the invention is to provide a closure for the end of a hollow pile shell that is driven into dirt or rock or a combination of both, such as is found in a stream bed, which pile shell is later iilled with liquid or semi-liquid cementitious materials such as concrete mixture.

Another object is to seal the lower end of the lead pipe section of a string of pipe that is driven into the ground in order to prevent debris, including dirt, rocks, etc., that might otherwise find its way up to the lead pipe section or pile shell as it is driven into the ground, from mixing with the concrete mixture which is poured down the pipe. In some cases also, it is desirable to prevent the entrance of liquids into the lower end of the pipe as the same may dilute the concrete mix or grout that is poured into the several pipe sections that form the shell pile. It will be understood, however, that only one pipe section may be used.

A further object is to provide a self-sealing pile closure which becomes more tightly sealed to the pipe as it is driven into the ground.

A further object is to replace a welded type plate closure with a pressed-on cover, which effectively seals pipe piling against leakage under normal operating conditions.

An additional object is to provide a shoe or closure for a pile shell without the use of welding materials, which is held on the lower end of the lead section of pipe during the pile driving operation by a press it.

An additional object is to provide a distortable shoe so shaped as to provide a space between the end of the lead end pipe section or pile shell and the shoe whereby the pressure of the soil and rock deforrn the shoe into tight sealing relation with the lead end pipe section during the pile driving operation. The shoe is initially held on the said pipe end by a press tit as noted above.

Other objects will be found hereinafter throughout the specification.

This application is a continuation-impart application of my application Serial No. 103,885, iiled April 18, 1961 and now abandoned.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical section of the lower end of the lead section of pipe or pile shell broken away showing the shoe as applied prior to the pile driving operation;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 but showing the pile shell end and shoe following the pile driving operation and pouring of concrete therein;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing a modified embodiment of the shoe;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 but showing the pile shell end and shoe following the pile driving operation and pouring of concrete therein;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURES 1 and 3 showing an additional embodiment of the shoe; and

FIGURE 6 is a view with respect to the additional embodiment of FIGURE 5 showing the pile shell end and shoe following the pile driving operation and pouring of concrete therein.

The invention is applied to the lend of a hollow pipe which pipe is generally cylindrical in cross-section. Pipes could be used that are elliptical or oval in cross-section but such pipes are seldom, if ever, used in pile driving 3,141,305 Patented July 21, 1964 operations. In any case the cap, closure or shoe must conform to the configuration of the mouth of the pipe or pile shell end. Such pipes are for foundation pile driving, the standard diameters of which usually range from 8% O D. to 16 O.D.

Referring now to the FIGURES 1 and 2, the numeral 1li shows the pile shell or pipe and 12 the deformable shoe. The pile shell 10 and shoe 12 are, as noted above, preferably circular in cross-section but may be elliptical and are composed of the usual metal which is in general use for foundation pile driving. Ferrous metals or alloys thereof which are of suliicient strength to stand the pile driving pressures and shocks to which they are subjected while being driven into various soils and rock formations, or a combination of both, are preferred. As stated hereinabove, the deformable shoe 12 is applied to the pile shell 10 by a press fit and no welding or screw-threaded connection is necessary between them. While the shoe 12 is deformed in pile driving, it is at the same time of such strength to prevent rupture during pile driving operations.

A beveled portion 14, either circumferentially or at spaced intervals, may be removed from the pile shell end as seen in FIGURE 1.

The shoe or closure 12 is provided with a central convex portion 16 that extends from adjacent the inner side walls of the lower end of pipe 19. When the pile driving operation commences, soil or stones or both press against the convex portion 16 tending to atten it and force the bulged area 18 against the sides of the pipe 10. This in turn tends to cause the sides of pipe Il) to bulge out slightly at 20. The iiange 22 prevents the shoe 12 from being forced into pipe 10 and tends to effect a further seal around the leading edge of pipe 10. Thus, in effect, the structure of the shoe 12 provides a double seal of the pipe. It will be noted that the height of the vertical portion 15 is as much as approximately onefourth of the diameter of pipe 10. The purpose of this is to provide su'icient space for portion 15 to dare without flaring the flange 22.

Referring to FIGURES 3 and 4, it will be noted that the shoe 12A is identical with shoe 12 except the flange 22A extends outwardly at less than 90 from vertical portion 15A, the diiference being appropriately the angle x from the horizontal. Because of this angular relationship, the outer peripheral edge 11A of pipe 10A tends to bite into the flange 22A thus improving the seal and tending to prevent pipe 10A from flaring outward. With the driving of pipe 10A into the ground, this angle which is depicted as y in FIGURE 4 tends to reduce slightly. The convex portion 16A is flattened by the driving force and, as in the previous embodiment, the sides of pipe 10A are thereby bulged outward at 20A. Due to the smaller angle y, it will be appreciated that the bulged area 18A of shoe 12A is wedged upward slightly into the bulge 10A formed at 20A. Grooves 40 which extend around the periphery of the bulged yarea 18A provide a sharp edge contact with the pipe 10A for an improved seal and better gripping. It will be noted that the grooves 40 extend upwardly at an angle to the pipe 10A. In consequence, they tend to prevent downward movement by shoe 12A relative to pipe 10A.

In the modification disclosed in FIGURES 5 and 6, numeral 10B shows the pipe 'and 12B the deformable shoe which are generally circular in cross-section, as in the previously described embodiments, and are fitted together by a press t without other connection. When shoe 12B is deformed in pile driving, it is of sufcient strength to prevent rupture. Portion 14B may be removed from end of pipe 10B as seen in FIGURE 5.

The shoe or closure 12B is provided with a central depressed portion 16B that extends closely adjacent the inner side walls of the lower end of pipe B. This portion 16B becomes even more depressed as the pile driving operation proceeds, so that it extends up into the pile shell 10B to a further degree after the pile shell 10B has been driven, as will be noted by a comparison of FIGURES 4 and 5, the former showing the configuration of the shoe prior to the pile driving operation and the latter showing the shoe in its deformed sealed position on the pile shell end after the pile driving operation, the bulge at 16B being enlarged.

Referring to FIGURE 5, it will be noted that the shoe 12B as initially applied to the pile shell end has a recess or depression.- 28 of substantially the same shape and size as ythe pile shell end, except that the depression is slightly larger than the pile shell end to provide a space 36B. This is accomplished by providing a flange 22B which surrounds the pile shell end and which forms a truncated cone in cross-section. In practice, only the upper inner curved edge 24 of the ilange engages the pile shell 10B. It will be understood that this edge 24 or any part of the flange 22B need not initially engage the pile shell end, as the shoe 12B may be held frictionally to the inner ange surface 26 when the shoe is applied to the lead pile shell end.

There may or may not be other pile shell sections attached to the pile shell 10, 10A or 10B. The pile shell and cap in each embodiment are of sumcient gauge and strength to withstand the type of formation into which the pile shell is driven. The type of soil or rock condition may also determine, within limits, the diameter of the pile shell and cap.

It will be noted that in each embodiment the space 30, 30A and 30B, is reduced by the deformation of the respective shoe 12, 12A and 12B. For heavy duty work, it is sometimes advantageous to place a deformable gasket material, putty, or the like in this space whereby a further seal is provided.

The above description and drawings disclose several embodiments of the invention, and specific language has been employed in describing the several gures. It will, nevertheless, be understood that no limitations of the scope of the invention are thereby contemplated, and that various alterations and modifications may be made such as would occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

I claim:

l. A pile shell and shoe therefor to be driven into the ground to receive a suitable lling, comprising a tubular section having an open end, a deformable shoe for said open end having a press t with said open end, said shoe including a depressed distortable central portion fitted into the said pile shell open end and a llange surrounding the said pile shell open end, the said lange providing an enclosed spaced adjacent said flange and said pile shell open end whereby said enclosed space is reduced by the deformation of said central portion when said pile shell and shoe are driven into the ground.

2. The structure of claim l wherein said central portion is convex in configuration.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said shoe flange which surrounds said pile shell end forms a truncated cone in cross-section.

4. T he structure of claim 1 wherein the enclosed space is inside the pile shell.

5. The structure of claim l wherein the pile shell end on its outer circumference has a beveled portion that enlarges the said space between said shell end and said shoe.

6. The structure of claim 5 wherein the enclosed Space is outside the pile shell.

7. The structure of claim 1 wherein the flange extends outwardly from the pile shell.

8. The structure of claim 7 wherein the angle subtended by the flange and the pile shell is less than References Cited in the ille of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 869,336 Stewart Oct. 29, 1907 2,421,993 Cobi June 10, 1947 2,562,860 Cobi July 3l, 1951 

1. A PILE SHELL AND SHOE THEREFOR TO BE DRIVEN INTO THE GROUND TO RECEIVE A SUITABLE FILLING, COMPRISING A TUBULAR SECTION HAVING AN OPEN END, A DEFORMABLE SHOE FOR SAID OPEN END HAVING A PRESS FIT WITH SAID OPEN END, SAID SHOE INCLUDING A DEPRESSED DISTORTABLE CENTRAL PORTION FITTED INTO THE SAID PILE SHELL OPEN END AND A FLANGE SURROUNDING THE SAID PILE SHELL OPEN END, THE SAID FLANGE PROVIDING AN ENCLOSED SPACED ADJACENT SAID FLANGE AND SAID PILE SHELL OPEN END WHEREBY SAID ENCLOSED SPACE IS REDUCED BY THE DEFORMATION OF SAID CENTRAL PORTION WHEN SAID PILE SHELL AND SHOE ARE DRIVEN INTO THE GROUND. 